Looking Forward To Friday Night

PREVIEW Thursday 30th May 2024, 4:00pm

by Jim Milton

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Stellar Monarchs are steeling themselves for a massive Scottish derby clash this Friday at Armadale Stadium with a place in the BSN Series Semi Finals on the line.

The clash comes hot on the heels of a hard-fought away match at Oxford. For 12 heats Monarchs managed to remain competitive, restricting their hosts' lead to just six points.

The disaster struck! A trio of straight 5-1 reversals to complete the evening was not the conclusion anyone was looking for.

The 36-54 final scoreline was probably an unfair indication of the meeting as a whole although even our big guns, Justin Sedgmen and guest Craig Cook were powerless to rescue the situation as heats 13 and 15 arrived.

So often a fruitful area of the programme for us to do some serious scoring when it matters, our top two struggled as Oxford powered ahead from the more fruitful gate positions.

Focussing on the positives for a second, although only three Monarchs - Sedgy, Cookie and Kye Thomson - recorded a heat win on the night, they did manage it on seven occasions over the first twelve heats, which is pretty good going by any standards.

This Friday the spotlight switches to the BSN Series and that much-anticipated qualification showdown with old rivals, the Glasgow Tigers, at Armadale.

After the thrilling golden heat victory at Ashfield in the first leg, any win at all will see the Monarchs through to the semi-finals and, with Craig Cook once again deputising for Josh Pickering, the team is ready for a great contest.

Of course, nothing whatsoever will be taken for granted against this solid looking Tigers' team who have now drafted in former rider Jack Smith as the permanent replacement for the suspended Lee Complin.

Like Edinburgh, Glasgow's early season form has been patchy. They too exited the Knockout Cup at the first time of asking though they have broken their Championship duck already.

So, Friday's derby clash would appear to be between two teams with bags of potential who each have a large point to prove.

Who will blink first?

Full Result Details